Why Is My Red Cordyline Turning Green?

Cordylines (Cordyline spp.) are tropical plants with colorful leaves that are native to Hawaii, Australia and the islands of the South Seas. Some are called ti plants, others are called dracaena palms or good luck plants, but most have leaves that are intense red, brilliant burgundy, pink or mixtures of several colors. Cordylines need little special care, but require the right conditions to develop their best leaf colors.

Color and Light

Cordylines include 15 different species, with the ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) a common example. It has glossy, reddish-purple leaves, often marked with red or yellow on the edges. Like most cordylines, the ti plant develops its best color when grown in bright light, with leaves that can turn a dull green in poor light. It grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, and also makes a good houseplant. Outdoors, it needs partial to full sun for at least part of the day. Indoors, a bright spot in a south- or west-facing window is best for good leaf color. If a cordyline's leaves become green, move it into a spot with stronger light and leaves should develop better color in a few weeks.

Light and Water

Although cordylines need strong light for good leaf color, these conditions can cause faster evaporation of water through the plant's leaves, increasing its need for regular watering. This is especially true during the heat of summer, when you should keep the plant's soil evenly most for best growth. Adding a 2-inch layer of organic mulch also helps conserve soil moisture, while keeping down competing weeds. For a container-grown cordyline, place its pot on a bed of gravel and water to help keep the soil moist while also raising the humidity around the plant.

Leaf Color and Fertilizer

Over-fertilizing a cordyline might also cause greening of the plant's leaves, especially for new leaves that develop soon after the plant is fed. While feeding can help support good growth, it's best to use an organic product, such as compost or composted manure, that releases nutrients slowly and steadily when mixed into the top few inches of soil at the start of the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen chemical fertilizers, which can release large amounts of nitrogen quickly and promote green color in new leaves.

Many Varieties

You'll find dozens of cordyline varieties with colorful leaves. Examples include the "Burgundy Spire" dracaena palm (Cordyline australis "Jel01"), which has thin, straplike leaves in burgundy-red and grows to a height of 8 feet in USDA zones 9 through 11, and "Pink Passion" dracaena palm (Cordyline "Pink Passion"), with neon-pink leaves on a 2- to 4-foot tall plant that grows in USDA zones 8 through 11. The "Festival Raspberry" cordyline (Cordyline banksii x pumilio var. "CorBzr01") had strappy, burgundy leaves with raspberry edges, is about 3 feet tall and grows in USDA zones 9 through 11.

About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.